India-US Defence Pact which includes vital intelligence-sharing deals and enhanced cooperation similar to a NATO ally would have put Pakistan and China under immense pressure. India-US relations soared to new heights when they signed a landmark military communication pact (COMCASA) — that is one of the four foundation pacts the US signs with its key allies.
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The agreement was signed in New Delhi during the 2+2 dialogue between Indian defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj with US defence secretary Jim Mattis and secretary of state Mike Pompeo.
India had already signed two vital pacts with the US: the General Security Of Military Information Agreement in 2002, on safeguarding information shared by the US military and defence firms with India, and the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement in 2016, which gives both nations access to specific military facilities on either side for refuelling and replenishment.
With these pacts, the US can now instal its secure communication devices in fighter jets that India purchases from the US in future. This pact will also allow India to get access to high-end spying devices and armed drones, which India has been exploring for a long time. Additionally, India also gets access to US military communication links such as Link 16, which are basically designed for NATO allies.
Meanwhile, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said Washington is not seeking to put Indian under US sanctions for buying Russian weapons, thus softly endorsing India’s purchase of S-400 air missile system. With India managing excellent defence relations with both the US and Russia, India’s arch-enemy Pakistan and regional rival China would be watching anxiously.
